Chaika (boat)

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A chaika is a boat with a mast and sail used by the Zaporozhian Cossacks. It was built to be between 18 to 20 metres in length, 3 to 3.5 metres in width, and 3.5 to 4 metres in depth. The bottom of a chaika was carved out of a single tree trunk, with sides built out of wooden planks. To protect the boat from enemy guns or from sinking, reed bales were tied to the gunwales of the boat. Chaikas also had two helms, so that the boat never needed turned around in order to switch direction. One such boat could carry around 50 to 60 men and possibly several small cannons.